Accessories – AndroidSPINhttp://androidspin.com
Google Android News, Phones and Tablets, Software and hardware reviews and moreTue, 29 Nov 2016 19:29:58 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.5Xiaomi MI Band 2 with OLED display announced for 149 yuan ($22)http://androidspin.com/2016/06/02/xiaomi-mi-band-2-oled-display-announced-149-yuan-22/
http://androidspin.com/2016/06/02/xiaomi-mi-band-2-oled-display-announced-149-yuan-22/#respondThu, 02 Jun 2016 05:50:45 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170938Xiaomi has announced its most awaited Mi Band 2 as promised. The Mi Band 2 was expected to be launched on 7th June but the company made official confirmation this morning on weibo.Â Xiaomi had teased the launch of Mi Band 2 last month, but the launch was delayed due to some production issues. Xiaomi CEO […]

Xiaomi has announced its most awaited Mi Band 2 as promised. The Mi Band 2 was expected to be launched on 7th June but the company made official confirmation this morning on weibo.Â Xiaomi had teased the launch of Mi Band 2 last month, but the launch was delayed due to some production issues. Xiaomi CEO hinted about the launch of next generation Mi Band duringÂ the Mi Drone launch event and got some people fairly excited about it.Â Xiaomiâ€™s Mi Band 2 comes with a custom OLED display which can display a lot more information. So, you can check the heart rate, time, distance, calories, remaining power, etc directly on the screen.

The new Mi Band 2 comes with 0.42 inches OLED display and 70mAH battery. It also comes with a new hardware platform that supports a new sports pedometer algorithm withÂ effective filtering of high frequency activity in the absence of motion, greatly improving the accuracy of counting steps, so that every number of steps measured is more accurate.

It is also built using an ADI motion sensor which can accurately read the heart rate, in time for the movement of the heart rate monitor and tips to make your free time and motion planning exercise heart rate according to the situation. An incoming call or text message notification, micro letters App, can be displayed on Mi Band 2.Â The company now have increased the battery capacity inside by 55 percent, by which you can still use the wearable up to 20 days on a single charge. That alone makes it a formidable accessory for those who demand more than a day usage out of their wearables, but also want more than just a step counter latched to their wrist all the time.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 comes in black color with colorful wrist bands inÂ black, blue, green, orange and other colors and is priced at 149 yuan ($22). It is now available for orderÂ and will go on sale starting from June 7th throughÂ Mi.com and JD.com. No details about the global roll out yet.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/06/02/xiaomi-mi-band-2-oled-display-announced-149-yuan-22/feed/0The MicFlip cable brings a reversible micro USB tip to your device charging struggleshttp://androidspin.com/2016/04/15/the-micflip-cables-makes-sure-you-dont-struggle-to-charge-your-device/
http://androidspin.com/2016/04/15/the-micflip-cables-makes-sure-you-dont-struggle-to-charge-your-device/#commentsFri, 15 Apr 2016 19:36:53 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170654OK, so we have all been there. We are trying to plug-in our phone or tablet and we flip-flop the cable 3 or 4 times to get it in the right way. As much as it pains me to say it, Apple has a good thing going with the Lightning charger. A few Android devices […]

OK, so we have all been there. We are trying to plug-in our phone or tablet and we flip-flop the cable 3 or 4 times to get it in the right way. As much as it pains me to say it, Apple has a good thing going with the Lightning charger. A few Android devices haveÂ USB Type-C. Yes, some solely use wireless charging too. Those are isolated devices though and aren’t the standard across every Android device and it will be a long time before they are. That flip-flop struggle for micro-USB toting device owners out there can be nothing short of frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be anymore. There is a solution that I can’t believe wasn’t created years ago called the MicFlip.

The cable is just that, a cable. It comes in a variety of color options like silver, gold and red along with a variety of lengths from 8 inches, to 3 feet to 6 feet. The cable its self is nylon braided making it feel stiff and solid, not cheap and flimsy. The magic in the cable is just at the tip. It is an elongated gold-plated hexagon tip that is housed in an aluminum casing that allows you to plug it into your device no matter which side is up. Something so simple certainly makes life less annoying when charging.

The MicFlip back story puts the product being one of those IndieGoGo campaigns that was wildly successful and actually turned into a shipping product. Winner Gear pulled out 1115% of their goal on August 7th with a whopping $150,877. They still have the page up for you to order your cables still. A little over a week ago they got more of the red/black variant in stock and are selling them for $30 for a pair of 6 footers. A single gold is $12 and the silver is sitting at $15. They are also tossing in free world-wide shipping on all orders. All of which is slightly less than you can get them on Amazon as they sit at $19.99 each.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/04/15/the-micflip-cables-makes-sure-you-dont-struggle-to-charge-your-device/feed/1Rugged mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, the Unite Explore, set to launch from AT&T April 1sthttp://androidspin.com/2016/03/28/rugged-mobile-wi-fi-hotspot-the-unite-explore-set-to-launch-from-att-april-1st/
http://androidspin.com/2016/03/28/rugged-mobile-wi-fi-hotspot-the-unite-explore-set-to-launch-from-att-april-1st/#respondTue, 29 Mar 2016 02:46:08 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170616AT&T is gearing up for a refresher on the Unite mobile hotspot device line of products with the announcement of the Unite Explore. The new Hotspot device is targeted for an April 1st launch date and features a bit more of a rugged design than any of the previous Unites before it carrying a IP65 […]

AT&T is gearing up for a refresher on the Unite mobile hotspot device line of products with the announcement of the Unite Explore. The new Hotspot device is targeted for an April 1st launch date and features a bit more of a rugged design than any of the previous Unites before it carrying a IP65 dust and water rating (complete protection from dust and from water from a nozzle) and a hard shock-resistant outer casing.

AT&T is prepping the device for $49.99 on a two-year contract. They leave out the full retail price tag in the press release, but my guess is $150 to $200.

It is an interesting product to push out under the circumstances. After all, they are heavily pushing DirecTV and their Unlimited plan, which can’t use a Hotspot device or tethering from your phone. Those that still rule the airwaves with a data bucket and live a bit more of an adventurous life style, could find some good use for it on their adventures though.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/03/28/rugged-mobile-wi-fi-hotspot-the-unite-explore-set-to-launch-from-att-april-1st/feed/0Stock up on 128GB micro SD cards before your Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge arriveshttp://androidspin.com/2016/02/25/stock-up-on-128gb-micro-sd-cards-before-your-galaxy-s7-or-galaxy-s7-edge-arrives/
http://androidspin.com/2016/02/25/stock-up-on-128gb-micro-sd-cards-before-your-galaxy-s7-or-galaxy-s7-edge-arrives/#respondThu, 25 Feb 2016 19:27:30 +0000http://www.androidspin.com/?p=170527The battle over the need for expandable storage is one that will never end. The masses seem to want and need it, so Samsung took that to heart and brought back removable storage on this years flagship line of Galaxy S7 devices. While I am sure many of you have a plethora of micro SD […]

The battle over the need for expandable storage is one that will never end. The masses seem to want and need it, so Samsung took that to heart and brought back removable storage on this years flagship line of Galaxy S7 devices. While I am sure many of you have a plethora of micro SD cards sitting around to toss in the device, it never hurts to bolster your collection and their sizes. Especially when insane amount of expandable storage are available at relatively inexpensive prices. Right now through Amazon there are a few different 128GB UHS-1 cards at rock bottom prices. Check ’em out.

While all the cards above are 128GBs in storage, some offer higher read/write speeds than others. For instance, SanDisk lists 48-80MB/s while PNY lists 60MB/s. No matter which manufacturer you are more confident in, you are getting a ton of space for all those videos, pictures, music and files for a pretty killer price. Me personally, I have been using theÂ SanDiskÂ card since its launch without a hiccup between multiple devices and have been pleased with it. I also have a smaller variant from Patriot that transfers quickly and works flawlessly in my tablets.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/02/25/stock-up-on-128gb-micro-sd-cards-before-your-galaxy-s7-or-galaxy-s7-edge-arrives/feed/0Marshall launches their first wireless headphones, claiming 30+ hours of wireless listeninghttp://androidspin.com/2016/02/25/marshall-launches-their-first-wireless-headphones-claiming-30-hours-of-listening/
http://androidspin.com/2016/02/25/marshall-launches-their-first-wireless-headphones-claiming-30-hours-of-listening/#respondThu, 25 Feb 2016 18:31:49 +0000http://www.androidspin.com/?p=170510Marshall is a brand that many musicians know quite well. The company is probably most recognized for their long-standing history of providing signature sounds in guitar and bass amps. The company does much more than that of course. A few years back they started to produce a line of headphones and even some signature sound […]

Marshall is a brand that many musicians know quite well. The company is probably most recognized for their long-standing history of providing signature sounds in guitar and bass amps. The company does much more than that of course. A few years back they started to produce a line of headphones and even some signature sound Bluetooth speakers. The style and design of their gear keeps with the long-standing visual appeal that their amps have done for decades. Today, Marshall has announced a new addition to their headphone line that should make fans quite happy with the Major II Bluetooth headphones.

Marshall packed all the sound that makes them a major player in the music industry to a set of small, compact, wireless headphones. They use Bluetooth aptX to pump CD-like audio quality to your skull. The aptX connection also minimizes any potential audio/video syncing issues. On the headphones you will find an integrated analogue control knob that allows for easy play, pause, shuffle and volume control. As per the norm, the knob also lets you answer or ignore calls, trigger voice actions or even take voice notes.

Marshall took the wireless experience a little further than others in the market by adding in a double-ended coil cord that also connects to the headphones. The cord packs a mic and remote if needed, but what pushes these a little further though is that the 3.5mm headphone jack on the headphones also doubles as a line out. In simple terms, you can be listening to a killer track and allow your friend to plug into your headphones to hear it as well.

For the technical sound minded, Marshall shared the sound specs of the headphones.

I personally have the Marshall Major II wired variant of these and they sound fantastic, look great and are super comfortable. I expect the same level of enjoyment from the Major II Bluetooth, but with some crazy long wireless battery life. Marshall will be launching the new Bluetooth headphones tomorrow, February 26th, in EMEA with a pretty competitive price point of $150. Keep an eye on MarshallHeadphones.com for their launch in the US later this spring.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/02/25/marshall-launches-their-first-wireless-headphones-claiming-30-hours-of-listening/feed/0The Speck Pocket VR makes the virtual reality revolution more convenienthttp://androidspin.com/2016/01/06/the-speck-pocket-vr-makes-the-virtual-reality-revolution-more-convenient/
http://androidspin.com/2016/01/06/the-speck-pocket-vr-makes-the-virtual-reality-revolution-more-convenient/#respondWed, 06 Jan 2016 22:03:57 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170168It’s clear that at CES 2016, virtual reality (VR) is one of the big movers since last year’s event with plenty of companies staking their claim in the VR business. While it definitely seems like Google Cardboard has taken a back seat to VR juggernauts like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, one case maker […]

It’s clear that at CES 2016, virtual reality (VR) is one of the big movers since last year’s event with plenty of companies staking their claim in the VR business. While it definitely seems like Google Cardboard has taken a back seat to VR juggernauts like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, one case maker isn’t afraid to jump on the platform’s bandwagon this late in the game.Â At CES 2016, case maker Speck has announced theÂ Speck Pocket VR, which incorporates a Google Cardboard-esque accessory bundled with a case.

Note that while it looks like the case and the VR headset are conjoined, they are actually separate – the VR headset part of the duo detaches and reattaches as required. Also, unlike the Google Cardboard, the Pocket VR has gaps at the top and bottom of the headset meaning its usefulness and immersion may degrade if you are outside or in a bright room. Still, for those who have been wanting a portable solution to the VR revolution, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more elegant solution than the Pocket VR.

What do you think about the Speck Pocket VR? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/01/06/the-speck-pocket-vr-makes-the-virtual-reality-revolution-more-convenient/feed/0BRAVEN continues 2016 push with 105 and 405 active speaker linehttp://androidspin.com/2016/01/06/braven-continues-2016-push-with-105-and-405-active-speaker-line/
http://androidspin.com/2016/01/06/braven-continues-2016-push-with-105-and-405-active-speaker-line/#respondWed, 06 Jan 2016 18:44:54 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170163Something about BRAVEN keeps me drooling every time I hear about or a see a new speaker offering. Yesterday they announced the BRAVEN BRV-XXL and BRV-BLADE LE. The XXL is already on my Fathers Day, Anniversary, Birthday and Christmas wish list. Continuing with the push through CES 2016, the audio accessory manufacturer has announced two […]

Something about BRAVEN keeps me drooling every time I hear about or a see a new speaker offering. Yesterday they announced the BRAVEN BRV-XXL and BRV-BLADE LE. The XXL is already on my Fathers Day, Anniversary, Birthday and Christmas wish list. Continuing with the push through CES 2016, the audio accessory manufacturer has announced two more new speakers to the list of audio products with the 105 and the 405 line of speakers.

The BRAVEN 105 is a palm sized portable speaker solution. Battery life is rated for approximately 8 hours of play back time. Like much of the BRAVEN line these days, the 105 is also IPX7 rated, meaning it can see some water and you won’t have to stress over it. BRAVEN also tossed a carrying loop on the 105 so you can easily attach it to your backpack, bike or other things.

The next announcement is the 405. This speaker is a bit more of a mid-sized speaker. The images make me think of the BRAVEN Balance personally, except it offers a kick stand on the rear versus a full stand on the bottom. The 405 carries the same IPX7 water-resistant rating along with a battery aimed at pumping out 12 hours of music to your ear holes. Like other lines, the 405 also offers up a USB out port to push some power to your phone if the need should arise.

Both speakers are set to launch in Q2 of this year with the 105 rolling out at $59.99 and the 405 landing for $99.99 in a variety of personal color options.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/01/06/braven-continues-2016-push-with-105-and-405-active-speaker-line/feed/0BRAVEN BRV-XXL and BRV-BLADE LE continue on the companies ruggedized portable audio solutions in a big wayhttp://androidspin.com/2016/01/05/braven-brv-xxl-is-the-next-monster-portable-speaker-to-keep-you-rocking-outdoors/
http://androidspin.com/2016/01/05/braven-brv-xxl-is-the-next-monster-portable-speaker-to-keep-you-rocking-outdoors/#commentsWed, 06 Jan 2016 04:18:01 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170132Audio accessory manufacturer, BRAVEN, is pulling out the big guns this year at CES with the announcement of two new Bluetooth speakers. The middle of the ground new line is the BRAVEN BRV-BLADE LE. Much like the other BRV line of speakers, the BLADE LE is rugged, water-resistant and featured packed. It is built with […]

Audio accessory manufacturer, BRAVEN, is pulling out the big guns this year at CES with the announcement of two new Bluetooth speakers. The middle of the ground new line is the BRAVENBRV-BLADE LE. Much like the other BRV line of speakers, the BLADE LE is rugged, water-resistant and featured packed. It is built with an aircraft grade aluminum casing to keep it light, shockproof ABS construction, tie-down bars made of military-grade glass filled nylon and carries an IPX 7 rating. Power the speaker through your day is an average 4,000 mAh battery that should get you through most of your day assuming you don’t siphonÂ power off it for your phone. The BLADE LE also features Bluetooth SMART technology that allows you control the speakers features, customize EQ settings and more remotely through a free app. Like previous BRAVEN speakers it also has a built-in mic for taking calls when cell coverage permits during your adventures.

The big papa of the new line, and my new personal favorite, taking the place of the design change 855s and 855 HD, is the BRV-XXL. As the name would suggest, this thing is a behemoth. This big dog packs the same feature set as the BLADE LE with the aircraft grade aluminum and ABS, but pulls back to a IPX 5 water-resistant rating. This monstrosity packs in 15,600 mAh of sound pumping power with a press release rating for 14 hours of playback time. BRAVEN tossed one-touch NFC pairing in along with on-board controls for bass, treble, volume and track skipping.Â Need to announce that the bar has been restocked? Plug a mic in via the 3.5mm jack and give the announcement loud and clear. Heck, the XXL will keep things popping with the built-in bottle opener too.

The BRV-BLADE LE is scheduled for release in Q2 of this year with a price tag of $199.99. The BRAVEN BRV-XXL will pull in a bit more of your savings in Q1 for $349.99.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/01/05/braven-brv-xxl-is-the-next-monster-portable-speaker-to-keep-you-rocking-outdoors/feed/1SanDisk bolsters storage solutions with 200GB Connect Wireless Stick and 128GB Dual USB 3.0 OTG Drivehttp://androidspin.com/2016/01/05/sandisk-bolsters-storage-solutions-with-200gb-connect-wireless-stick-and-128gb-dual-usb-otg-drive/
http://androidspin.com/2016/01/05/sandisk-bolsters-storage-solutions-with-200gb-connect-wireless-stick-and-128gb-dual-usb-otg-drive/#commentsWed, 06 Jan 2016 00:00:23 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170096Global leader in storage solutions, SanDisk, is once again pushing their line up to new heights at CES 2016. While they are sure to have a number of releases, the mobile space is the one we focus on here. SanDisk has announced two new mobile storage solutions today that might turn a few heads. First […]

Global leader in storage solutions, SanDisk, is once again pushing their line up to new heights at CES 2016. While they are sure to have a number of releases, the mobile space is the one we focus on here. SanDisk has announced two new mobile storage solutions today that might turn a few heads. First up we have the Connect Wireless Stick. Two years ago I reviewed one of the first of these little sticks, back when it was a 64GB wireless thumb drive that used an app to connect to multiple mobile devices. Now the company is pushing the unique storage solution even further with a whopping 200GB’s of portable in your pocket storage.

It certainly looks a lot cleaner than the first round of devices. The device is password protected Wi-Fi connection that all funnels trough the SanDisk Connect app. Being that it uses a more traditional and speedy Wi-Fi connection it also means it is cross compatible with your Apple, Android, Mac and PC devices. Yes, even your friends can get in on the action. Well, assuming they install the app and you give them the password. A more recent update to the app also allows for AirPlay and Chromecast support as well.

Second the list of mobile storage solutions is the newÂ SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0. This little bugger offers a traditional USB plug to add/remove content from a PC while also allowing you to plug it straight into an OTG compatible Android device. This gives those internally storage challenge devices access to more than enough space for photos, videos, music and documents. Especially when your carrier data limits are nearing max or if you’re in a dreaded “dead zone.”

For the speed junkies, SanDisk quotes the Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0 of speeds up to 150MB/s. Individual results will always very.

â€œWith the explosion of content, people need more advanced storage solutions to keep up withÂ the volume and quality of the photos, videos and files theyâ€™re creating on their mobile devices,â€said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product marketing, SanDisk. â€œOur goal is to deliverÂ innovative, intuitive offerings that help them capture lifeâ€™s great moments without worrying aboutÂ storage limitations.â€

Pricing details place the Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0 at $59.99 while the 200GBÂ Connect Wireless Stick will start off at $119.99. The initial press release state they are available starting today through your typical channels like Amazon.com, BestBuy.com and, of course, SanDisk.com.

]]>http://androidspin.com/2016/01/05/sandisk-bolsters-storage-solutions-with-200gb-connect-wireless-stick-and-128gb-dual-usb-otg-drive/feed/1LG SmartThinQ Hub announced, another home automation helperhttp://androidspin.com/2016/01/04/lg-smartthinq-hub-announced-another-home-automation-solution/
http://androidspin.com/2016/01/04/lg-smartthinq-hub-announced-another-home-automation-solution/#respondTue, 05 Jan 2016 04:38:34 +0000http://androidspin.com/?p=170117I swear, some of the names these companies come up with have a way of NOT rolling off theÂ tongueÂ at all. LG is stepping up to the plate with a new IoT device with the catchy branding of the SmartThinQ Hub. The SmartThinQ branding isn’t new, it is what LG has been using in washers and […]

I swear, some of the names these companies come up with have a way of NOT rolling off theÂ tongueÂ at all. LG is stepping up to the plate with a new IoT device with the catchy branding of the SmartThinQ Hub. The SmartThinQ branding isn’t new, it is what LG has been using in washers and dryers, refrigerators and ranges. Now you just have a Hub to run them all.Â It will serve as a gateway to all your other smart sensors and connected appliances. Rather than just alert you that your laundry is dry and your turkey is done, the Hub will also play tunes and give you calendar reminders on the 3.5″ screen.

â€œThe LG SmartThinQ Hub is just another example of the open approach we believe is the future of the smart home,â€ said Jo Seong-jin, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. â€œOpenness and strong partnerships with industry leaders is what will make smart home technology more accessible and more convenient to consumers. And at the end of the day, that is what our smart home strategy is all about.â€

The SmartThinQ Hub is cross compatible with a variety of other connected appliances besides just LG branded ones. Any other manufacturer of smarter appliances that utilize the AllJoyn Alliance open source framework are linkable to the Hub.